France calls Israeli death penalty law ‘inhumane and degrading’

France on Thursday sharply criticized a new Israeli law that permits capital punishment exclusively for Palestinian prisoners convicted of lethal attacks against Israelis. Responding to a question from Anadolu, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told a press briefing: “The death penalty is a sanction that is both inhumane and degrading. France advocates for its universal abolition.” He noted that Paris had already expressed its position in a joint statement with Italy, the UK, and Germany, and again after Monday’s Knesset vote in a statement backed by all 27 EU member states expressing “deep concern.” Confavreux also condemned the law’s “discriminatory nature,” arguing it runs counter to democratic principles and international commitments.

Diplomatic friction and Hormuz meeting

When asked about Israeli Ambassador to Paris Joshua Zarka’s claim that France’s stance was not “friendly,” Confavreux replied: “Being a friend sometimes requires saying things honestly.” He acknowledged occasional disagreements with Israeli authorities, adding: “We believe that many of the current government’s orientations do not contribute to regional peace or stability.” Confavreux also announced that G7 and Gulf Cooperation Council countries will hold a meeting next week to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz amid the continuing Middle East war.

UNIFIL attacks and French military supplies

The spokesperson condemned attacks that killed three Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, stating that France had conveyed its concerns “very firmly” to Israel’s ambassador on March 30. He also confirmed that France continues to supply Israel with limited quantities of defensive military equipment and spare parts, while reiterating that Paris is not a party to the US-Israeli war on Iran and has not changed its policy on foreign military overflights. For Türkiye, which has consistently condemned civilian casualties and called for an immediate ceasefire, France’s position reflects growing European unease with the conflict’s direction. Ankara continues to urge all NATO allies to prioritize diplomacy over military escalation.